Skyline Divide 2016 Trailbazer hike

Today's scheduled hike to Skyline Divide turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Today marked the beginning of a 3 day heat wave for our region. The temps were supposed to be in the 90's. Our hike today was mostly in the forest, so we were protected from the solar heat until we reached the ridge. On the other hand the forest didn't protect us from the bugs, which were thick.

I volunteered to hike the "sweep" position today. The sweep person stays in the back and makes sure none are left behind. I had the pleasure of hiking the day with our "fearless leader" Pat for the day. The rest of our group marched ahead at their own pace.

It's a long drive, about 13 miles on a gravel road to the trail head parking lot from the Mt. Baker hwy. We were all raring to go when we got out of the cars.

Pat and Barbara checking out the map.

There were still a few wildflower colors and berries to enjoy along the trail.

I enjoyed my time with Pat, he's a wealth of information about the area and I really like to hear what he has to say.

The forest began to lessen as we gained altitude and we enjoyed our first peek at Mt. Baker.

As we rounded the last corner, I looked up and realized the ridge was just above me!

When we got to the ridge the rest of our group was just preparing to head back down the trail. After visiting a bit we went our separate ways. I dashed up to the knoll to the right for a quick view towards Baker, then headed back to eat lunch with Pat.

Panorama photo taken from the little knoll.

Mt. Baker

I love this picture I took of Pat walking along the ridge as we began our return hike down to the cars.

Pat and I made a major group decision while we were hiking - It shall be added to our bylaws - "All hikes in the north Baker trail system shall include a stop at Grahams in Glacier for ice cream." 

So decreed :-) and it was so!

As we were heading back to town, we noticed the car temperature reading for the outside air read 93 degrees. 

I am so thankful we hiked in the forest today.

Endomondo stats

total miles hiked - 6.12

minimum altitude - 4158 feet

maximum altitude - 5637 feet

total ascent - 1677 feet

total descent - 1634

* distance correction - I did a factory reset on my Garmin fenix 3 watch after this hike since the number was suspicious. I hiked the trail again on August 28th and the distance to the ridge after the reset was 2 miles so the round trip distance would have been just a little over 4 miles, not the 6.12 as stated above.

Barbara sent me a couple of pictures for me to include in my blog from their group. Thanks, Barbara!

Hannegan Peak

Yesterday was a "Bucket list" day for me.
I have been up to Hannegan Pass many times but have never turned the corner to head up to the PEAK, but it's BEAST training time now for both me and my husband. We need up and hard for the next couple of months. 

I wasn't prepared for the glorious views that I saw with every step forward. For those that always stop at the pass I would highly recommend trying for the Peak, even if you don't make it all the way you will be rewarded by better views than the Pass destination. If it seems daunting, plan for an all day effort. Just take your time, take more rest breaks and savor every stop and before you know it you'll be at the top.

As we hiked up the trail to the Pass we noticed just a touch of fall in the trees.

The photo below shows the view from the Pass.

We then turned left and headed on up to the Peak.

The wildflowers were still in bloom.

Ruth Mountain

The photo below is a panorama taken from a few steps farther than I was standing in the above photo.

Now you can see why I say just keep walking a little further. Even if you don't get to the top the views really open up and it makes a better lunch stop, 

plus the breeze was blowing better in the open - less bugs!

We stopped and had a snack before the last up to the top. 

Our destination - Hannegan Peak.

It looked farther away than it was, it really didn't take us all that long to hike from our snack location to the top. Just as we were nearing the top I turned around and took this photo to show where Hannegan Pass is, if you click to enlarge the photo you'll see it in the low (saddle) area between the ridges just below us on the left. We ate our snack on that same ridge right below us at the little green area surrounded by a triangle looking area of the trail to the left of the dirt patch way below. I know lots of words to try to show you our snack stop location ;-)

We spent about an hour on top, eating our lunch and just really enjoying the epic views all around us.

I'm so glad I started a bucket list and Spartan race training, so that I would be fit enough to do more of the things I love. 

Not even sore today - Such rewards!!

Endomondo stats:

total miles hiked - 11.58

minimum altitude - 3077 feet

maximum altitude - 6,188 feet

total ascent - 3,153 feet

total descent - 3, 153 feet

Summit